Washington, D.C.

Shaw

5 / 10

There's a long legacy to be found in the tiny Shaw neighborhood in northwest Washington, D.C. In the early 20th century, native son and jazz legend Duke Ellington lived here, performing at the handful of U Street theaters known as "Black Broadway." Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong, Pearl Bailey, and dozens of other prominent African American artists received top billing here, too. But years of decline and the 1968 race riots left much of the area vacant in the latter half of the century, aside from a few lingering jazz clubs and concert venues like the 9:30 Club. In recent years, though, Shaw has started humming again with a slew of investment, including the restoration of the historic Howard Theatre. And within the neighborhood, nothing is booming faster than the the few blocks that have become known as North End Shaw. Its name may be developer-ese—Washingtonians haven't quite pinned their own name to it—but this micro-neighborhood is quickly defining itself as a go-to destination for dining, drinking, shopping and, once again, the arts.